In November by Cynthia Rylant (2000) is a feel-good, story-book version of Thanksgiving without using the name of the holiday. I favor books by Cynthia Rylant, but this one feels like she phoned it in. Jill Kastner’s paintings are reason enough to read the story.
Precious little text decorates the pages. The comparisons are appropriate for the very young reader: snow is “a winter bed for flowers and small creatures.” Leafless trees spread their arms like dancers. Some birds migrate, animals shiver in the cold, snuggle underground, or pile up in a barn. “And dogs lie before the fire.”
The family in this story lives in a large house on a farm in the woods. It’s implied that mother happily bakes luscious, seasonal foods. Again there’s “crackling wood stoves” present when people visit. “They travel very far on a special November day just to share a meal…” Kastner’s illustrations show the smiling faces of guests that span multiple generations.
If you don’t have colorful autumn leaves or snow in November, if you’re unfamiliar with Thanksgiving or long for the day when this holiday was uncomplicated, this is the book for you.